Santa Rosa state delegation hears from small crowd

State Sen. Doug Broxson (R-Gulf Breeze) explains legislative priorities to a group of Santa Rosa County officials during a public meeting on Monday, Oct. 16, 2017 at Pensacola State College in Gulf Breeze.
Anne Delaney/adelaney@pnj.com

Milton Mayor Wesley Meiss, right, speaks to the Santa Rosa County state delegation, Rep. Jayer Williamson, Sen. Doug Broxson and Rep. Frank White, during a public hearing on Monday, Oct. 16, 2017 at Pensacola State College South Santa Rosa Center in Gulf Breeze.(Photo: Anne Delaney/adelaney@pnj.com)

Prominent among the small crowd in a college classroom were Santa Rosa County Commissioner Rob Williamson, city of Milton Mayor Wesley Meiss and Pensacola State College President Dr. Ed Meadows, all of whom came with their own wish lists of needs on behalf of their constituents.

Commissioner Williamson had about 15 projects totaling approximately $18 million to present to the three state-elected officials. Meadows discussed programs and projects for the college's six locations plus basic infrastructure concerns such as the need to shore up leaky buildings at the Milton campus.

Meiss had three request items to discuss with the state legislators, tops among them was communicating the need for a new wastewater treatment plant. Meiss explained to the state officials that the current plant in downtown Milton is operating at about 70 percent capacity and the rate of operation will spike to 100 percent in about seven years.

"It's archaic and it can't be expanded upon cheaply," the mayor said after his presentation.

Pensacola State College President Dr. Ed Meadows addresses the Santa Rosa County state delegation during a public meeting on Monday, Oct. 16, 2017 at Pensacola State College South Santa Rosa Center in Gulf Breeze(Photo: Anne Delaney/adelaney@pnj.com)

The proposed new plant will cost about $30 million and would be built on a 24-acre site in East Milton near the Santa Rosa Industrial Park. Meiss is looking for about $6 million for phase one of the project.

"It's shovel ready," Meiss said. "This is not just for Milton. It's for north Santa Rosa County and the industrial park. It's an important project."

Rep. Williamson said the mayor's proposal on the wastewater treatment plant caught his ear, too, because if the county wants to attract businesses to the area it has to have the infrastructure to support the growth.

"That's huge for Santa Rosa County and the city of Milton, and for the future," Williamson said. "We've got to jump on this now."

Williamson said the next step is to present the plan to the Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee, of which he is a member.

"They understand the importance of these projects to Northwest Florida and the county," Williamson said. "We'll have to work on funding options."

Commissioner Williamson, current chairman of the Santa Rosa County board that used to include Jayer Williamson, said it's important for local officials to keep in touch with their state representatives in Tallahassee.

"Business is all about building relationships and is no different," Commissioner Williamson said. "When it comes to decide who gets funding, it's better to be on the table than on the menu."

Commissioner Williamson said the county didn't prioritize its list for the state delegation, but infrastructure needs such as improving roads and controlling flooding ranked high.

Rep. Williamson said he would've preferred to see a few more average, every day Santa Rosa County residents on hand.

"Obviously, I would've loved to look out to the audience and see a full room because you get to hear more," said Williamson following the nearly 90-minute session. "You always want there to be more people but obviously people have lives and it's not the only thing they have going on."